LABOUR LEGISLATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2917, 24 January 1899, Page 3

LABOUR LEGISLATION.

■» . TWO POINTS OF VIEW. In a world m which the majority stand on their head, those who are on their feet are out of order; m a world m which we hear the cry of over production raised by men who cannot obtain the necessaries of life, m which restriction of production is looked at as the only way of obtaining food and raiment for everyone, m such a world we must measure things by a different standard from that which ordinary logic supplies. These were the thoughts with which the editor of the Commercial Exchange Gazette eavs he listened to some of the speeches made at the banquet of the Wellington Industrial Association m July of last year. The speakers debated our New Zealand labour legislation, and especially the contemplated law restricting the number of apprentices m the trade. Every word they spoke upon this subject was logical and accordant with the dicates of common sense. Was is not a shame to refuße technical education to half the youth of the country P Oertain'y. How could we expect this country to grow m productive power if we neglected to raise a skilled staff of workers m the different trades ready to fill the growing demand ? No disputing the propriety of such interrogations, even if they were prompted — not by care for the poor youths or for the country's future prosperity, but by desire for abundant and cheap labour. But can we blame the Trades Unions, who try to force through restrictive Jaws, when they see the actual result of such abundant and cheap labour ? Can we expect a man whose place has been taken by a cheap apprentice, who has been forced into the army of the unemployed because a younger man got his work, can we expect him— or his comrades whom the same fate stares m the face— to feel juat as enthusiastic as the Wellington Industrial Association about unrestricted rights of learning trades ? It is the machinery problem all over again. It is the same instinct which prompted machine smashing. The reasoning that machines are a good thing, that saving of labour is beneficial, is just as unassailable as the truth that a man cannot be expected to be very enthusiastic about inventions which have thrown him on the pavement, and which have taken the bread from the mouths of his wife and children.

Many of the American soldiers went home from the war with Spain, bringing with them fever germs which afterwards developed, and turned the triumphant melodies played on their joyous return to funeral dirges. About 200 men left the little town of yault Ste. Marie, m Michigan, to tight the Spaniards, and nearly all of them returned, but they sickened and died. Within a fortnight processions were passing through the streets at the rate of five or six a day. It is said that the same has occurred all over America, and that wives and mothers curse the day when war was declare^. The following cable was received nt the London office of the Johannesburg Standard and Diggers News, from Johannesburg, dated December 15th : -" President, Kruger is better. His Honour has sent a New Year message of goodwill to the people of Johannesburg, expressing an earnest hope for their prosperity. His desire is that all nationalities should enjoy a contented lot— the State made no distinction between them. All he asked was that those residents within its boarders should conform to the laws of the land and prove worthy of confluence. He promises there shall be a reduction m the cost of living, and declares his desire to stand by the poor to protect them from the assaults of capital and to procure for them a more prosperous existence m the Mew Year." The promise of the New Year message has not been fulfilled. Here is a funny little anecdote about Mr Rhodes. He has never been noted for excessive modesty, and it is asserted the only man who ever got even with him m the matter of personalities was a little German clerk m the Government office at Johannesberg. Rhodes had to stand m line, and he didn't like it (says M.A.P.). He had not been used to standing m line m South Africa or anywhere else. " Please attend to me at once," he Baid; " I can't wait." "When your turn comes, mister," mumbled the clerk., " Confound you, sit ; don't you know who lam P I'm Rhodes." "Oh yes, I knew that ; but that didn't worry me," was the unruffled reply. "If you were m Capetown I'd have you discharged m a minute," roared Mr Rhodes. " Yes, I have heard thati they discharged people m Capetown for doing their duty," answered the clerk ; " but we ain't m Capetown ; this le a republic"